There are ways to run LS as a backend using SSJS
var agent:NotesAgent = database.getAgent("Your Agent Name");
agent.runOnServer();
Converting LS to JS is not a really difficult issue. The syntax is a bit different but very doable.
I do a fair bit with LS agents but they are all scheduled agents that run against the back-end with no user interaction. I probably should rewrite them as JAVA, but they are kind of legacy code and it would be a very big job. However, SSJS and Java are the way to interact with the user.
If you want to use XPages then you had better get on the SSJS and Java track. There are a number of specific XPages on-line courses on SSJS and Java, plus Dave Leedy has several videos at http://notesin9.com
Take the time now, it will save you a lot of time later.